ESPN: Mike Ditka 'OK' after stroke

Mike Ditka won the Super Bowl as a player in 1963 and as a head coach in 1985, both times with Chicago Bears.

Story highlights

NFL legend Mike Ditka suffered a stroke on Friday

"I feel good right now and it's not a big deal," he tells the Chicago Tribune

ESPN expects Super Bowl winner to return to broadcasts soon

Legendary professional football coach and ESPN analyst Mike Ditka is recovering from a stroke he suffered Friday, the sports network said.

Ditka, 73, will not be on ESPN's football shows this weekend, the network said. But Ditka "wanted everyone to know he's OK," ESPN senior coordinating producer Seth Markman said via Twitter.

"I feel good right now and it's not a big deal," Ditka told the Chicago Tribune.

Ditka was playing cards at a country club when he found his hands "weren't working quite right." He then had problems speaking, the newspaper reported.

ESPN says it expects the coach to return to broadcasts soon.

NFL Week 11: The best photos 87 photos

NFL Week 11: The best photos87 photos

NFL Week 11: The best photos – Kendall Hunter of the San Francisco 49ers breaks away from Chicago Bears defenders for a second quarter touchdown on Monday, November 19, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Check out the action from Week 11 of the NFL and look back at the best photos from Week 10.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – 49ers tight end Vernon Davis catches a pass in the first quarter.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Quarterback Jason Campbell of the Bears throws a touchdown pass in the third quarter of Monday night's game against the 49ers.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Kelvin Hayden, left, and Chris Conte of the Chicago Bears chase Kyle Williams of the San Francisco 49ers after his reception in the first quarter.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Frank Gore of the San Francisco 49ers tries to leap over Major Wright, center, and Tim Jennings, left, of the Chicago Bears.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Kyle Williams, left, and Michael Crabtree of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate a reception by Williams in the first quarter of Monday's game against the Chicago Bears.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Justin Smith of the 49ers grabs the jersey of Bears quarterback Jason Campbell as he tries to pass the ball Monday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Bernard Pierce of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, November 18, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Byron Leftwich of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Quarterback Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Chykie Brown of the Baltimore Ravens is called for pass interference against Mike Wallace of the Pittsburgh Steelers during Sunday night's game.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Ike Taylor of the Pittsburgh Steelers breaks up a pass intended for Torrey Smith of the Baltimore Ravens.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Ed Dickson of the Baltimore Ravens makes a catch against Lawrence Timmons of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Jonathan Dwyer of the Pittsburgh Steelers rushes against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts throws in the first half against the New England Patriots on Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Delone Carter of the Colts runs in for a touchdown on their first drive in the first quarter against the Patriots on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Rob Gronkowski of the Patriots beats Kavell Conner of the Colts into the end zone for a touchdown in the first half on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Tom Brady of the Patriots throws a pass against the Colts during the game on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Julian Edelman of the Patriots avoids a tackle by Pat McAfee of the Colts while returning a punt for a touchdown against in the first half on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – T.Y. Hilton of the Colts celebrates his touchdown with No. 12 Andrew Luck and No. 11 Donnie Avery in the first half against the Patriots on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Aqib Talib of the Patriots returns an interception for a touchdown in the first half against the Colts during the game on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Julian Edelman of the Patriots celebrates after returning a punt for a touchdown against the Colts in the first half on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Quarterback Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Sunday in Denver.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Demaryius Thomas of the Broncos makes a 13-yard touchdown reception against Antoine Cason of the Chargers in the second quarter on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Cornerback Marcus Gilchrist of the Chargers makes a diving tackle after a reception by wide receiver Brandon Stokley of the Broncos on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Safety Eric Weddle of the Chargers runs back an interception for a touchdown past quarterback Peyton Manning of the Broncos during the first quarter on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – No. 32 Eric Weddle of the Chargers celebrates his 23-yard interception for a touchdown with No. 95 Shaun Phillips of the Chargers against the Broncos in the first quarter on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Linebacker Wesley Woodyard of the Broncos intercepts a pass during the second quarter against the Chargers on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints throws a long touchdown pass to Lance Moore in the second quarter before being hit by Lamarr Houston of the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum on Sunday in Oakland, California.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Taiwan Jones of the Raiders is tackled by Tom Johnson of the Saints on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Denarius Moore of the Raiders cannot catch a pass while defended by Patrick Robinson of the Saints on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Roman Harper of the Saints is congratulated by Malcolm Jenkins after Harper intercepted the ball in the endzone during their game on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Malcolm Jenkins of the Saints tries to run down Marcel Reece of the Raiders on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Jimmy Graham of the Saints dunks the ball over the goal posts after he scored a touchdown against the Raiders on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans can't quite make the catch while Derek Cox of the Jacksonville Jaguars defends on Sunday at Reliant Stadium in Houston.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Andre Johnson of the Texans can't quite make the catch while Derek Cox of the Jaguars covers on the play on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Rashad Jennings of the Jaguars is upended by Alan Ball of the Texans on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Arian Foster of the Texans rushes against the Jaguars on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Justin Blackmon of the Jaguars tries to fend off No. 38 Danieal Manning of the Texans and No. 29 Glover Quin of the Texans on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Defensive back Terence Newman of the Cincinnati Bengals breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Dwayne Bowe of the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis of the Bengals is tackled by linebacker Derrick Johnson of the Chiefs during the first half on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Defensive end Carlos Dunlap of the Bengals sacks quarterback Matt Cassel of the Chiefs during the first half on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Quarterback Andy Dalton of the Bengals passes during the game against the Chiefs on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Tight end Tony Moeaki of the of the Chiefs leaps over defenders No. 33 Chris Crocker and No. 22 Nate Clements of the Bengals in route to a first down during the first half on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Free safety Abram Elam of the Chiefs strips the ball from tight end Jermaine Gresham of the Bengals after Gresham made a catch on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Sam Bradford of the St. Louis Rams is hit after passing the ball against the New York Jets at the Edward Jones Dome on Sunday in St. Louis.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Wide receiver Chaz Schilens of the Jets falls toward the goal line after making a leaping catch against the Rams on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Running back Steven Jackson of the Rams runs up the middle during the game against the Jets on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Chris Long of the Rams looks to tackle Joe McKnight of the Jets on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Wide receiver Brandon Gibson of the Rams prepares to throw the ball toward the crowd after catching a ball for a touchdown against the Jets on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson of the Jets tries to bat the ball away from quarterback Sam Bradford of the Rams during the game on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Quarterback Robert Griffin III of the Washington Redskins stiff arms defensive end Jason Babin of the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter at FedEx Field on Sunday in Landover, Maryland.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Running back Bryce Brown of the Eagles is upended by Redskins defenders in the second quarter on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Quarterback Robert Griffin III of the Redskins looks to pass against the Eagles in the second quarter on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Wide receiver Aldrick Robinson of the Redskins runs through the end zone as he scores against the Eagles in the second quarter on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Running back Bryce Brown of the Eagles is hit by linebacker Perry Riley of the Redskins on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Quarterback Nick Foles of the Eagles walks off the field after an incomplete pass against the Redskins in the first quarter on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Linebacker Keenan Robinson of the Redskins prays with teammates before playing the Eagles on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Benjamin Watson of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball against Brandon Carr of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on Sunda in Arlington, Texas.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Brandon Weeden of the Browns throws against the Cowboys on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Trent Richardson of the Browns is tackled during a game against the Cowboys on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Trent Richardson of the Browns runs the ball against Danny McCray of the Cowboys on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Felix Jones of the Cowboys runs the ball against the Browns on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Jonathan Stewart of the Carolina Panthers runs into Leonard Johnson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Cam Newton of the Panthers scrambles away from Lavonte David of the Buccaneers on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Armanti Edwards of the Panthers is upended by Arrelious Benn of the Buccaneers on a kickoff return on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Greg Hardy of the Panthers hits Josh Freeman of the Buccaneers as he throws a pass on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Haruki Nakamura of the Panthers tackles Doug Martin of the Buccaneers on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Da'Quan Bowers of the Buccaneers celebrates after a sack with teammate Gerald McCoy on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Josh Freeman of the Buccaneers points across the line as Luke Kuechly of the Panthers points on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – William Gay of the Arizona Cardinals breaks up a reception intended for wide receiver Roddy White of the Atlanta Falcons that resulted in an interception at Georgia Dome on Sunday in Atlanta.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Rashad Johnson of the Cardinals intercepts a pass intended for Roddy White of the Falcons on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Ryan Lindley of the Cardinals looks to pass against the Falcons before fumbling the ball from pressure by John Abraham and Kroy Biermann at Georgia Dome on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Roddy White of the Falcons breaks a tackle by William Gay of the Cardinals on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Matt Ryan of the Falcons looks to pass against the Cardinals on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – LaRod Stephens-Howling of the Cardinals carries the ball against No. 22 Asante Samuel, No. 25 William Moore and No. 27 Robert McClain of the Falcons on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – James Sanders of the Cardinals pressures Matt Ryan of the Falcons on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers rolls out to pass during the first quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday in Detroit.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Jermichael Finley of the Green Bay Packers scores on a 20-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers during the second quarter of the game against the Lions on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Jermichael Finley of the Packers crosses the goal line against Ricardo Silva of the Lions on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Matthew Stafford of the Lions drops back to pass during the first quarter of the game against the Packers on Sunday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Jairus Byrd jumps in the air as his Buffalo Bills teammates celebrate his fourth-quarter interception against the Miami Dolphins at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Thursday, November 15, in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo won the game 19-14.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Davone Bess, left, of the Miami Dolphins stiff-arms Justin Rogers of the Buffalo Bills on Thursday.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – Buffalo's C.J. Spiller bumps umpire Jeff Rice on a run against the Miami Dolphins.

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NFL Week 11: The best photos – C.J. Spiller of the Buffalo Bills runs against Cameron Wake, left, and Karlos Dansby of Miami.